Campus renovation project focuses on enhancing student learning

Construction is well underway on several campus buildings as part of Clayton State University’s Academic Core renovation project. Upon completion, the $14.96 million state-funded project will feature structural renovation and building enhancements to improve the academic and athletic experience on campus for students, faculty, and staff.

“This is the first major construction project on campus since the construction of the Lakeview Discovery and Sciences Center. It is a very critical project since it is mainly supporting the replacement, upgrade and renovation of the aged infrastructure impacting the student areas,” said Harun Biswas, assistant vice-president of Facilities Management. “Various renovations will provide energy savings, better climate control, improve ADA access, improve student study and collaboration spaces to support the University’s Strategic Plan 2022 to invest in infrastructure improvements.”

The Academic Core project consists of several major improvements including the renovation of the Athletics & Health Center to feature new locker rooms, classrooms, training facilities, study hall space, concession stand, and lobby. The theatre inside of the Arts and Sciences building Is also being renovated along with the addition of a new lobby entrance. The elevator is also being replaced in the Arts and Sciences building.

Magnolia Hall and Lecture Hall are both getting the addition of new study spaces for students. Lecture Hall will also be outfitted with new restrooms and upgrades to the lighting, mechanical systems, and ceiling tile.

The Library is also undergoing some HVAC control retrofitting and replacement, and the James M. Baker University Center will have access roofs and ladders installed.

Lastly, the development of a chiller plant and distribution system will provide better heating and cooling to Spivey Hall, the Music Education building, Athletics and Health Center, and the Harry S. Downs Center.

In addition to Clayton State University, the Academic Core renovation project team includes the Georgia State Finance and Investment Commission is providing construction administration and commissioning services. The project’s general contractor is Albion, and professional design services are being provided by Flynn Finderup Architects.

Construction on campus is expected to be complete by January 2019.

“We are privileged to have been selected as the general contractor to partner with Clayton State University for this monumental project. Multiple departments are undergoing complete renovations, thus strengthening the university as a whole,” said Brian Newsome, executive vice-president of Albion. “We believe that Clayton State will continue their rise as a top public university in Georgia and the south as a result of this project.”

The Academic Core renovation project was made possible by funding appropriated by the Georgia’s legislature over the last three years, including an allocation of $5.3 million approved in the spring legislative session.

“We appreciate the support of the Board of Regents and its staff, the Chancellor, the Governor and the legislature for addressing this critical need to invest in existing facilities and update them to meet student needs,” said Corlis Cummings, vice-president of Budget and Operations. “These investments in current facilities/spaces allows us to better serve our students and our faculty by providing teaching, learning and study spaces that have the systems and infrastructure in place to enhance and support learning.”